VERITAS 

Principal's Report

The Power of Words 

Dear Parents,

 

Occasionally the need arises to speak with individual students, groups or even whole year levels about language used with one another here at school. As use of inappropriate language invariably takes place out of our ear-shot, we usually find out about it when a student asks his or her parent what a certain word means and then the parent, wisely, passes on the information which allows us to address the matter.  Such a situation provides a learning opportunity not to be missed – even for those who may not be directly involved at the time.  It’s not always language of course; there are numerous other matters discussed with students from time to time. 

The purpose of these talks is not ‘to name and shame the guilty,’ rather, it is about raising student awareness of issues they face in order to support them in making conscious and wise decisions about the direction in which they want their lives to go.  It is never too early to sow the seeds of care, self-worth and responsibility.  I know some people think that primary age children are too young, but those responsible for the negative influences in society are certainly not sitting around waiting for children to reach mature age before they target their audience.  On the contrary, they want to attract the young, the vulnerable, the unsuspecting.  As parents and teachers, then, we look for the teachable moments to draw attention to the important things of life and the course of wise decision-making.  Often these teachable moments coincide with the times when things seem to be going pear-shaped and at such times we adults need to make wise choices of our own.

As students get older, they need to grow in self-knowledge and awareness; they need to grow in their understanding of what motivates them when faced with a life choice; is it love or is it fear, because most certainly, it will be one or the other. For instance, when the peer group uses explicit or derogatory language, if raised to consciousness, thinking might go something like this,

 

"Do I join in and use that language?

If I don’t, they might think I’m a goody-goody and exclude me from the group. I might have no friends.

They might even call me those names." 

 

Following that line of thought, if the child then joins the group in using language she/he knows to be offensive or inappropriate, then the motivation has been from fear – fear of being excluded or made fun of.  On the other hand, response to the same question, could go like this:

 

"Do I join in and use that language? 

I know I shouldn’t be using these words.

I know they don’t make anyone feel good or contribute to a better world. I know these words are inappropriate and cause hurt. I am not taking part in this and with a little courage, l will speak up because I care about my friends and I don’t want to see any of us say or do something that will cause harm."

This would be a decision made out of love and care for self and others. When we bring light to our habits of thinking and to motives for our behaviour, (when we bring self-knowledge and awareness), there is greater hope of change - when change is what is needed.  As adults, we often point out the need for self-control and certainly self-control is important, but self-control alone cannot bring change, it merely contains the impulse and, sooner or later, self-control will give out. (How many New Year’s resolutions have we broken?)

In self-knowledge and awareness, however, lie the seeds of sustainable change. 

 

Watch your thoughts . . . they become Words

 

Watch your words . . . they become Actions

 

Watch your actions . . . they become Habits

 

Watch your habits . . . they become Character

 

Watch your character . . . it becomes your Destiny

School Rules

Our Pastoral Care Philosophy is based on our School Vision, Mission and Values and we believe that all people can live in love and harmony with each other. Our Catholic School is in essence the face of Jesus for the whole community. The life of every human person is seen to have a God given value and meaning which is enhanced in our school community in an atmosphere permeated with the Gospel values of freedom and love.

                        

Our school is a place where every individual is welcomed, cherished, respected and valued.  Our Catholic ethos ensures that a Christ-centred approach is at the heart of all we do. We live and learn within a community that is caring, loving, compassionate and forgiving. Meaningful relationships form the basis of all our interactions.

We respond by promoting attitudes which foster:

  • Love, joy, curiosity and challenge of learning
  • Connectedness, belonging and inclusion for all.
  • Responsibility for one’s own learning and behaviour
  • Acceptance and honouring of differences
  • Perseverance and self-discipline
  • A contribution to the wider community

 

We have an expectation that everyone:

  • Respects each person’s dignity and self-worth
  • Develops a positive relationship with all people
  • Treats each other with kindness and respect
  • Takes responsibility for their own feelings.  Use “I” statements and refrain from blaming.
  • Listens with eyes, ears and heart. Ensure all our children are heard, welcomed, understood, given creative opportunities, recognized and treated as individuals.
  • Communicates positively, honestly, directly and gives constructive feedback
  • Ensures all children belong to the community, are loved and supported and have opportunity for the development of positive self-esteem.

Sacramental Program

What is Confirmation? The Sacrament of Confirmation welcomes us and deepens our belonging to the faith community, deepens our relationship to God, as Creator, Redeemer and Spirit and strengthens us as disciples. We hope that Confirmation leads the young Christian towards a more intimate union with Christ. The sacrament itself strengthens and confirms what happens in baptism – completing the grace of baptism - and it further initiates the individual journey of faith empowering the young people to go and proclaim the good news.

 

Next Monday evening, at 7pm, the Year Six children, with their parents, will be participating in a Parent/Child Workshop. This workshop is a precious time that allows children and adults to share their faith journey together. As important as faith may be, it isn't a normal topic of dinner conversation in most families. Most often young people (and their parents) need a bit of assistance and structure in order to move faith to the forefront in family discussions. This evening takes a story sharing approach to discussing faith. It helps young people and parents articulate why faith is important to them and how they find it in the ordinary experiences of their life.

Music

Singing in a group is a transformative experience. A sound so pure that it vibrates from deep within a person and erupts bursting forth from their soul. A sound that is shared with others in an uplifting encounter, developing an increased sense of community, belonging and shared sense of endeavour. This one sound that ultimately unifies and connects individuals on such a level that it has been proven that all the Choral member’s hearts beat together in unison.

 

Singing in a group can greatly contribute to one’s quality of life. Singing together can become like a form of meditation, it has the ability to calm and energise. Studies have demonstrated that singing not only has physical benefits because it is an aerobic activity increasing oxygenation in the blood stream, exercising major muscle groups, promoting deeper breathing by opening the throat and relaxing the body but that it also creates a healthy and relaxed mental state.

 

The choral programme developed at Infant Jesus School aims to ensure all the students participating in the programme receive and experience the full positive impact of singing. The students are encouraged to work together cooperatively as a team in order to achieve great feats as a choir. Throughout the year, they have focused on strengthening breath support, finessing pitch and intonation, articulating diction and have diligently pursued two-part harmony, a challenge for many a Senior Choir. The students have been immersed into learning a wide range of vocal repertoire from Sacred works to Contemporary.

 

As the festival is fast approaching, the children are honing their Performance skills. They have scrutinized the importance of a presenting themselves professionally while entering and exiting a stage, they have examined the importance of maintaining an outward demeanour of calm while nervous and also how to handle disruptions during a live performance.

 

This year heralds our first ever performance as a 'Select Choir' and the students are on track for an award-winning performance as they have shown great dedication and commitment to the Music Programme, attending early morning rehearsals and even the occasional weekend Mass.

 

The children are to be commended for their efforts and it is truly an exciting time to sing in the infant Jesus Choir. #ExpectGreatThings

Three-Year-Old Program 2018

The Three-Year-Old Kindergarten at Infant Jesus School is an educational program for Pre- Kindergarten children.  The program at the school is very much play-based and helps the children develop independence and creativity by offering interesting and fun activities, that are developmentally appropriate, in a semi- structured form. The program follows a routine similar to Kindergarten where the children are in the care of a teacher and a teacher assistant for the duration of the session, but parent help is encouraged.

Who May Attend the Program?

 

The 2018 program is offered to children who will have turned THREE by 30 June 2018 and plan to continue attending Infant Jesus School in 2018 and beyond. Regulations prevent us from taking children until they have turned three years of age. Please note that enrolment at the Infant Jesus School Three-Year-Old program does not guarantee a place in the Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Program. Interviews will be conducted for both places. 

 

 

Interested parents are asked to contact Mrs Cheryl Macpherson at the school office for enrolment forms for 2018 Three-Year-Old program.

Parking around School Grounds

This is a general reminder to all parents to be aware of the traffic situation at the school and the need to work together to ensure the safety of our children. We have a high proportion of children who are commuted to the school in vehicles and we have very restricted parking within the area.

 

Because of these and other difficulties and as the ongoing safety of our children is of primary importance, the following guidelines are provided for your information.  Whilst compliance with these rules may at times prove to be a minor inconvenience, it is a little price to pay to ensure that our children arrive and leave school in the safest possible circumstances.

 

Parents are asked to:

  • Park safely in the Church car park.
  • Observe all parking signs in and around the school.
  • Note that in order for traffic to flow smoothly and safely during pick up and drop off, it would be appreciated that once the car in front of you has moved forward that you do also.  This will hopefully enable a steady flow of traffic through our school drop off areas.
  • Ensure the vehicles are not left unattended for any reason, as this will hinder traffic flow.
  • Note that there is no double parking or standing at any time in the school entrances in Smith Street, Russell Street and Lovegrove Way.
  • Note that there is no parking or standing on the grassed street verges in Smith Street, Russell Street, Peters Place or Lovegrove Way.
  • Please do not park in private residential driveways.
  • Observe the no parking or no standing in the marked bus bay in Smith Street.
  • Remember the speed limit around schools is 40km/hour.

 

Also, in the interests of the safety of all students, parents are requested NOT to pull into the staff car park or the small car park at the front of the school at any time.  Before and after school are very busy times and children are continually accessing these areas on the way into or out of the school.

 

Thank you for your support and cooperation in ensuring the safety of our children.

School Fees

Thank you to the many parents who have made the effort to pay their school fees early this term. This term’s accounts have been sent and all families are asked to pay these accounts as soon as possible. If any families are experiencing difficulty paying their fees, they are asked to contact the office (Irene Baginski) to make an appointment with Mr Hille.

Prayer

The Value of a Smile

 

It costs nothing but creates much. 

 

It enriches those who receive without impoverishing those who give. 

 

None are so well off that they can get along without it, 

 

And none so poor but are richer for its benefits.

 

 It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business, and is the countersign of friends. 

 

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature’s best remedy for trouble. 

 

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody until it is given away.

 

 To smile then is to look at others with the eyes of Christ. 

 

To know how to love them and smile at them, through our tears if need be, is to breathe in advance the atmosphere of Heaven.

 

Amen

Did you know?

  • Coffee beans are not beans, they are fruit pits
  • The most common disease is tooth decay
  • Children born in the month of May are on the average 200 grams heavier at birth than children born in any other month
  • Only female mosquitoes bite

Thought for the Week

You will experience peace when you invite God into the details of your life

God Bless,

 

Paul Hille

Principal

#ExpectGreatThings